Thousands of dogs and their owners took part in a walk along Manila's bayside boulevard on Sunday to protest against cruelty to canines in the Philippines. In the Philippines, dogs are frequently killed and cooked for consumption. The "Dog Walk for a Cause" was organized by the Philippine Canine Club, Inc, an association of dog owners and breeders.

New law under the city council in Turin, Italy, puts pressure on pet owners to treat their animals properly - having to follow the most stringent animal protection guidelines in the country. The 20-page rulebook details specific treatment of animals expected by the people of Turin. Dog owners will be fined up to 500 euros ($650) if they don't walk their pets at least three times a day. People will also be banned from dyeing their pets' fur or "any form of animal mutilation" for merely aesthetic motives such as docking dogs' tails, under the law about to be passed in the northern Italian city. "In Turin it will be illegal to turn one's dog into a ridiculous fluffy toy," the city's La Stampa daily reported. Italians can already be fined up to 10,000 euros and spend a year in prison if found guilty of torturing or abandoning their pets, but Turin's new rules go into much greater detail. Dogs may be led for walks by people on bicycles, the rules say, "but not in a way that would tire the animal too much. " Italy considers itself an animal-loving nation and in many cities stray cats are protected by law. Still some 150,000 pet dogs and 200,000 cats are abandoned in Italy every year, according to animal rights groups. To enforce the law, Turin police would rely largely on the help of tipsters spotting cruel treatment by their neighbors, La Stampa reported.

A 20-year old violinist is breathing much easier now that the 18th century violin she lost has been returned. Lindsay Deutsch says the instrument was stolen from her car last weekend while she was grocery shopping. Deutsch says, "I've been waiting my whole life to get an instrument of this quality, and for it to be gone like this, I didn't think I'd ever get this one back. " It was found Thursday in an alley by a man who was walking his dog. He took it police who kept to dust for fingerprints. The violin, made in 1742, was on loan from collector Peter Mandell, who says his insurance covered almost every possible contingency -- except theft from a vehicle. The instrument is one of only 30 still in existence that was handcrafted in Venice, Italy by the top violin maker of his time, Sanctus Seraphin. Though a fine violin, it is considered to be several notches below those made by Antonio Stradivari. Deutsch says, had the violin not been recovered, she was ready to work off the debt to pay Mandell for the instrument Her parents offered a $10,000 reward. If an investigation confirms his story, her father says he will give the money to the finder.

Dan MacEachen is being deluged with complaints about his practice of disposing of unwanted sled dogs, so he's says he will make changes. The owner of Krabloonik, described as the largest sled dog operation in the country, says he will discontinue disposing of old dogs or unhealthy puppies by shooting them in the head with a . 22-caliber rifle, then dropping them in a large pit used to collect feces. MacEachen says he has employed the practice for the last 30-years. He says, "What we're doing is distasteful, but it's perfectly within my legal grounds to do it. " MacEachen also challenges the way the story has been reported. He vows to work to find more homes for the unwanted dogs by contacting rescue groups. The controversy stems from statements made by former Snowmass Village employee Harry Portland, who claims to have seen some dogs still moving after being dumped in the feces-filled pit. "You'd be dumping (feces) all through the day and you'd see the dogs in there. Some of them would be kicking and moving a little bit -- occasionally you'd see their eyes moving. " MacEachen denies the claims, saying is unaware of any dogs surviving in the pit. Similar operations in the U. S. say few kennels still practice euthanizing dogs in such a manner. Several animal rights' organizations, including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals call the practice "barbaric". The Pitkin County Animal Shelter says it will also work to get the unwanted animals adopted and is willing to take-in dogs scheduled for euthanasia. Krabloonik, located in Snowmass Village, charges tourists as much as $295 for sled dogs rides through the mountains.

A 32-year old woman walking her dog had a scary experience as an armed man snatched the bag she was carrying and took off. Much to his dismay, the bag was full of crap, literally. The victim tells police a man in his 20's approached her from behind and ran away with the bag she was holding, the same bag she used to dispose of her dog Misty's poop. When the thief realized what he'd taken, he threw the bag down demanding money at gunpoint. He, then, proceeded to point his . 22-caliber handgun at Misty pulling the trigger twice. Luckily, the gun misfired. Police say the would-be robber fled the scene in an awaiting car.